Instrument Panel Lights have gone out

I asked this question in another forum; I drive an 02 Tacoma Ext CaB. It appears that two of my instrument panel lights have gone out; the ones behind the tachometer and engine temp. Could this be a bulb problem or a fuse problem? I would think that if it's the fuse, all inst panel lights would go out. How difficult is it to replace these bulbs? Is this better left to a pro, orcould this be done by an inexperienced hack (like me).

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards

Ben Hyman

 

You're right - if it were a fuse problem all the dash lights would have gone out.

You'll need to remove some dash trim to get to the instrument cluster bulbs.

 

You asked if better left to a pro (a dealer tech perhaps) or a 'hack like myself'.. What would 'I' do? It can be a fair amount of work to get the trim off, then pull the instrument cluster out and disassemble to some degree the back of the cluster to get to the bulbs (althought they're prob right there on the surface and unscrew). I would pay the money to have the dealer do it. It's annoying to pay someone for work you can do yourself but.. Are these speedos mechaincal or electronic? If they're still mechanical, then there's also a cable that has to be disconnected from the back of the cluster/speedo head. No big deal, just more work.
My vote? If it's an electrical speedo and you're bored and fairly good with this stuff, do it yourself. If it's a mechanical speedo, you're not so good w/this stuff, pay the dealer. Maybe 90 mins of labor? Maybe $100? Just guesses. If you do it yourself, you've got to drive to the dealership with the bad bulbs in hand once you take it apart and hope they have them in stock? Good luck.

 

Here's how to take apart your dash:

http://www.customtacos.com/tech/index.php?article=77

It's not too hard.

 

At $90 and hour and I would bet the time/labor book says 3-4 hours, I'd do it myself. And that pesky 10% rag fee would just piss me off....

 

HELP!! I'm in the middle of this job right now, but I'm stuck at #14. All my trim panels are off, the gauge cluster is unscrewed, the wiring harnesses are unplugged, but the guage cluster won't come out. Do I have to disconnect the speedo cable? How? Not much room in behind there.

 

Just pull the speedo cable out of the back, simple as that. It just pulls out.

 

Roger that! After squeezing my hand in behind to try and unclip the damn thing, cutting my flesh to shreds, I thought I'd try a mighty tug, and sure 'nuff. Out she popped.
On a side note, you will need 4 (count 'em four bulbs) for the LED conversion. 2 centre ones for tach & speedo, and 2 outer ones for temp & fuel. (At least that's how it is in my '96) So I had ordered 2 bulbs for this job, had a spare from changing the gauge bulbs to LEDs in my '59 Bug, and I'm still one shy. So now I gotta order 1 more bulb (and maybe another spare) and take it all apart again next weekend to change out that last bulb. Dammit!
Enough of this for now, I'm going in to watch the NASCAR race from California. Go Kyle Bush!!

 

So I went for a ride last night after the race (Kyle Bush finished 3rd) to check out my new lights. Lovin' 'em!! Even though the fuel guage is still illuminated with the OE bulb, the rest on the left side of the cluster look AWESOME! I love the way the blue light changes the colour of the needle from orange to what appears to be white. Can't wait for my other bulb to arrive.

 

Glad to here you like the conversion. I still love looking at my dash after the conversion.

 

Reviving an old thread here.

What part number leds are needed for this? There's a piece of debris in my 95's gauge bezel, and while I'm in there to re move it I thought I might pop in led's. But I have no idea which ones to get, nor where to source them?

 

hey, im currently facing this problem. the link to remove the instrument cluster seems to be dead. does anyone have a working link?

 

Any advice for getting the wires unplugged from hazard lights, rear locker, reostat dimmer switch, etc. Can't seem to get them unplugged, and can't move any further until i get them out!